Mutharika drags MCP into DPP squabbles: ‘W’ll ensure power does not slip’

President Peter Mutharika says ‘rebels’ in his party are conniving with the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to weaken the ruling party to usher opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera to power.

Mutharika: Ibwill lead DPP to another victiry

Speaking to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters who gathered at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre on Saturday, Mutharika said he will ensure that power does not slip to MCP. ”

“We have credible intelligence report but they will fail. These confusionists are sowing the seeds of division to pave way for the MCP,” said Mutharika.

He said after Bingu’s death in 2012, most top people left the party but he managed to steer it from opposition to oust Joyce Banda and her Peoples Party from power at the 2014 poll ballot box.

Meanwhile, University of Livingstonia political analyst George Phiri has warned that continued bickering in the DPP may end up killing the party.

“It is only the convention that can decide who will represent DPP, nothing else. So what is happening now may end up killing DPP, the party’s leadership needs to have a goal, and must tell people that goal,” he said.

Former first lady Callista Mutharika said recently that President Mutharika, who is 79 years old, would be too old to carry on as he would be in his 80s if re-elected next year.

Mutharika laughed off reports that he is too old to rule, saying he does not even have a single grey hair.

A leaked audio clip of telephone conversation, which has gone viral, purported to be between Cabinet minister Kondwani Nankhumwa and the party’s secretary general (SG) Gressielder Jeffrey centred on how the Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s alleged camp was gaining more support.

“Bwana [boss], you remember I have been telling you? I told you this man [Chilima] has everything in place. We just cheat the bwana (President) about the State intelligence; it is a useless intelligence and that’s why this government has been infiltrated. Chilima knows everything and he is doing his own things.

“When issues about Cabinet reshuffle are discussed, proposals that we will put Jeffrey there, you find that those issues are out. There is no secret. Bwana that mwana [child] is gone, he is not turning back. Masangwi is not coming back,” Jeffrey is heard complaining in the clip.

She said Chilima told her that even if the President attempts to pick him as a running mate, he would not accept it. She said the Veep told her that he would only remain silent, but did not disclose what he is up to.

Jeffrey said former first lady Callista Mutharika is not mad and is a top-notch politician and wife to the late president Bingu wa Mutharika.

Callista was the first person to openly support Chilima’s presidential candidacy, arguing her in-law, the current President, was too old to run for the presidency in May next year and that DPP cannot win with him.

Hey! Hey! U granny leave my MCP alone. Komadi munthu ukakalamba nzeru zimabwerera ku umwana. How does MCP involved in this? U are failing to manage affairs of this country that’s why ur own blue camp is opting for another presidential candidate. Let me tell u gran pa u are not even popular in ur own lhomwe belt. Ask the lhomwe MPs in the name of Patricia Kaliati, Bon Kalindo, Mwanamveka they will tell u. Even if Chakwera withdraws his candidature for 2019 elections, u can’t beat Kamuzu Chibambo. Which credible intelligence are u talking about? The one which is… Read more »

Nyasa Nyasa!!!! Almost everyday the same story, mutharika old!! Some in DPP want chilima!!!! Calista said bola chilima bra bra bra!!! Have we not heard enough from these assertions? Ntanva chizaone nchipande powomola.

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6 months ago

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Nandau

MCP is trying to fool Chilima to stand knowing that he cannot do so in the DPP and that if he starts his own party he will flop.

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6 months ago

Guest

#DzukaniAmalawi

What intelligence? Is this the same intelligence that didn’t pick up that DPP hooligans will attack its own at and in parliament (a high security area). Same intelligence that predicted wrongly that the CSO demo will end up in rioting and looting. DPP squabbles are purely internal and bwana you have a crisis to manage and resolve. There are no external but rather internal forces at play. Even the uneducated eye can see that.

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6 months ago

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#DzukaniAmalawi

A chicken’s nakedness is always exposed when the wind blows from the back. Mutharika’s age is being exposed through his nonsensical utterances not worthy listening to. Grey hair linked to age and the fact that the party will not relinquish power to the opposition. This is stuff for an African dictator. This is the kind of reasoning that we heard from Mobutu Sese Seko, Idi Amin, Kamuzu Banda, Sani Abacha, Robert Mugabe etc. Mutharika certainly still belongs to that era; he hasn’t yet grasped the fact that he’s operating in a 21st century space. If there is any reason Malawians… Read more »

Check the number of seats MCP has and the percentage of votes MCP has in the last general elections in 2014. Its too close for comfort. So, to fool yourself that MCP might not win is as good as living in a parallel planet. Seats Won (DPP 50 vs MCP 48); Presidential Elections (Mutharika 36,4% vs Chakwera 27,8%)